Saturday, January 12, 2008

1/9 Washington Nationals announce Spring Training schedule. The Nats play the Baltimore Orioles four times in Florida, including home games in Viera March 1 and 27. Pitchers and catchers report February 15 and the other position players report February 20. The first full-squad workouts are scheduled for February 22. The Nats invited 72 players, including 36 pitchers, to 2008 Spring Training.

1/10 The Nats announce their "Winter Tour" schedule. The tour will be conducted in two phases, with the first running from Saturday, January 12 through Thursday, January 17. Manager Manny Acta, infielder Aaron Boone and pitchers Jason Bergmann and John Lannan will participate in the first leg, with events moderated by Nationals’ Radio Broadcaster Charlie Slowes. The team will begin the second portion on Thursday, January 24, concluding the appearances on Monday, January 28. Nationals Mascot “Screech” and the Racing Presidents will also participate in the slate of activities.

1/10 The Nats announced the roster for their 2008 Accelerated Development Program. The club’s second annual Accelerated Development Program will include 37 players, including 17 pitchers, and is intended to provide the best and brightest prospects in the Nationals’ system not participating in big league camp with high-intensity instruction provided by Washington’s top minor-league coordinators, managers, coaches and instructors Over half of the 37 players participating in the ADP are ranked among the Nationals’ top 30 prospects according to Baseball America, including first baseman/outfielder Chris Marrero, outfielder Michael Burgess, right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann and right-handed pitcher Colton Willems.

1/11 The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on a 2008 contract with right-handed closer Chad Cordero, thus avoiding salary arbitration. He agreed to terms on a one-year, $6.2 million contract. No long term contract was discussed, according to reports. The team has just three arbitration-eligible players remaining -- infielder Felipe Lopez and right-handed pitchers Jon Rauch and Tim Redding. 1/11 The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on 2008 contracts with infielder Kory Casto, left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler, left-handed pitcher John Lannan, outfielder Lastings Milledge, right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock, right-handed pitcher Chris Schroder, first baseman Josh Whitesell and first baseman Matt Whitney. No terms were disclosed in the official press release. None of these players were arbitration eligible yet.